Pac-12 Football Picks: Week 2

UCLA jumped on Rice early and dominated. Now they headline the Pac-12’s biggest game this week. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE

One of our staff writers picked each game correctly to open up the season, and everyone else will be playing catch-up with the same exact record.

Ricky Widmer holds an 11-0 record while Brian Spaen, Raymond Mencke, Jr., and Mike Vamosi all hold an 8-3 record. Joe Soriano makes his debut this season and marks his return to writing for Autzen Zoo.

Now, the picks for week two. All times are pacific. Teams that are underlined were picked unanimously by the staff.

Friday

5:00 p.m. – Utah @ Utah State (+6.5) – TV: ESPN2

Last time most people heard about Utah State, it was the almost-upset against Auburn during opening weekend last year. The Utes would like to show off why the Pac-12 needs to take them seriously this season.

Saturday

12:00 p.m. – Southern Utah @ California (NL) – TV: Pac-12 Network (National)

Yes, head coach Jeff Tedford would be fired if Cal lost this game.

12:00 p.m. – Sacramento State @ Colorado (NL) – TV: Pac-12 Network (Mountain)

How telling is it that actually for a few minutes, I considered picking Sacramento State for the upset?

12:00 p.m. – Eastern Washington @ Washington State (NL) – TV: Pac-12 Network (Oregon, Washington)

Starting the season against BYU would have been a tough go for any opponent. Even though EWU comes in with confidence after blowing away Idaho, it’s going to take twice as many mistakes as the Cougars made in Provo to lose their second straight.

12:30 p.m. – (3)USC vs Syracuse (@East Rutherford, NJ) (+26) – TV: ABC/ESPN2

It’s a quirky non-conference game, but nice to see a couple bigger schools go at it. The result may end up being the same as most FBS vs. FCS matchups, however.

1:00 p.m. – Wisconsin @ Oregon State (+6.5) – TV: FX

This one raises more flags than it should. After gutting it out against Northern Iowa, the Badgers will go on the road against a team that doesn’t have much expectations.

3:30 p.m. – Fresno State @ (4)Oregon (-35) – TV: Pac-12 Network (National)

How fast will Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas come out of the gate in week two? If the FSU defense hasn’t seen any improvement from last year, they may give up 50 before the end of the first 15 minutes.

Autzen Zoo Score Prediction: Ducks 66, Bulldogs 15

4:00 p.m. – Washington @ (3)LSU (+24) – TV: ESPN

It was a needed victory for the Huskies last week at home. Facing LSU in Death Valley, at night, will probably be harder than their matchups with USC and Oregon.

4:30 p.m. – (14)Nebraska @ UCLA – TV: FOX

Ricky: NEB | Brian: UCLA | Mike: NEB | Ray: NEB | Joe: NEB

The lead editor is a lone wolf in his pick for the Bruins. Taylor Martinez’s performance against Southern Miss is still skeptical in my eyes. No, UCLA probably won’t get over 600 yards of offense again, but this team is ready for a culture change. A home opener will not be easy to win there if you’re the Huskers.

7:30 p.m. – Illinois @ Arizona State – TV: ESPN

Ricky: ILL | Brian: ASU | Mike: ILL | Ray: ASU | Joe: ILL

After a couple of poor seasons and the firings of Ron Zook and Dennis Erickson, both the Illini and Sun Devils came out with strong first games. It’s unfortunately the only Pac-12 game most people can watch at this time, but it should at least be a good one.

7:30 p.m. – (16)Oklahoma State @ Arizona – TV: Pac-12 Network (National)

Well, the Cowboys won’t be playing a high school team this week. That may be too nice. Freshman team? Seventh grade?

7:30 p.m. – Duke @ (21)Stanford – TV: Pac-12 Network (Bay Area)

The Cardinal better not take Duke lightly this time around, it wasn’t a pretty first half last season even for Andrew Luck.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo. See his banter with other FanSided writers and love for his favorite west coast professional teams by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Lacrosse the Web.